Max Campbell scores 100th point, but Western Michigan University hockey team watches lead slip away in loss

Brett Beier | Special to the Kalamazoo GazetteWestern Michigan forward Max Campbell fires the puck past the block of Notre Dame's Nick Larson during the first period Friday night. Campbell's shot found the back of the net for the Broncos' first tally of the night.

KALAMAZOO — It was a bittersweet feeling for Max Campbell.

In his final regular season game at Lawson Ice Arena, Campbell found a rebound off to the side of Notre Dame’s goal, swung around and stuck it in to give him his 100th career point and the Broncos a second-period lead over the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s top team.

WMU’s lead didn’t hold, however, as Notre Dame scored two goals in the third period and picked up a 3-2 win over the Broncos.

It was the second game in a row the Broncos had a one-goal lead in the third period and lost the game.

“Obviously, this is a pretty big accomplishment for me,” said Campbell, whose 100th point came on his second goal of the game. “I wasn’t really focusing on it too much with the task at hand, which was Notre Dame, and with where we are in the standings. It feels good to start scoring again and start producing for the guys, but it kind of sucks with the outcome.”

With the win, Notre Dame held on to the top spot in the CCHA heading into the final game of the regular season as the Broncos slipped to fifth place.

WMU vs. Notre Dame

When: 7:05 tonight at the Joyce Center, South Bend, Ind.

In its final game of the regular season, Ferris State defeated Ohio State 3-1 to finish the season with 43 standings points. The Bulldogs, who picked up a shootout win over the Buckeyes Thursday, moved into fourth place in the standings.

WMU, which has 41 standings points, will need a win over Notre Dame at the Joyce Center tonight to clinch fourth place.

Michigan remained one point behind Notre Dame by defeating Northern Michigan 3-1 Friday.

If the Wildcats win tonight, they would finish the season with 42 points, meaning the Broncos would need at least two points to clinch fifth place. If Northern Michigan loses to Michigan, WMU clinches fifth place regardless of tonight’s outcome at Notre Dame.

“Obviously, tomorrow’s game is important,” said WMU coach Jeff Blashill. “There’s a lot at stake. Our focus has to be like it is every night — going out and executing and trying to win against a very good hockey team. That doesn’t really change, no matter the scope of the game. It should still be the same focus.”

The goal that gave Campbell his 100th point came on a Western Michigan power play with 4:20 remaining in the second period, when Notre Dame had twice as many shots on goal.

“I’m sure this is hard for him to lose on senior night,” Blashill said. “He played very, very well. He had great energy right off the bat and I played him a ton because of that. He’s one of those guys that seems to play better when he plays a lot. Unfortunately, it was a great effort in a loss.”

Notre Dame freshman Anders Lee scored the winning goal on a power play with 4:57 remaining in the game.

“Those are the kind of things you can’t do late in the year, and we paid the price,” Campbell said of giving up the late score.

Lee also scored the game’s first goal 1:31 into the contest with a deflection off Sean Lorenz’s long shot from straight away.

The Irish outshot WMU 15-6 in the first period and had a 29-18 advantage in the game.

“They’re a very good hockey team,” Blashill said. “One of the best we’ve seen all year. I thought they started better than we started and they put us on our heels. Our focus on ourselves is that we have to do a better job of maintaining a little more puck possession so we’re not playing as much defense.

“I thought our penalty kill was real good. Even the one they scored on, I thought was our best kill. It’s kind of an unfortunate bounce, but that’s what happens.”

Jeff Costello tied the game for Notre Dame 4:07 into the third period with a shot over Kuhn’s shoulder.

Kuhn had 26 saves, including numerous stops in key situations for the Broncos, and played very well in the game after a tough weekend in Ann Arbor.

Contact David Drew at ddrew@kalamazoogazette.com. Follow him at twitter.com/Drew_on_WMU.